Dear Customers: As I shared, Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) filed their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, as we headed into the holiday.
Part 3 in a Series: Lead Yourself First, RAILWAY AGE JANUARY 2026 ISSUE: In Part 1 of this series, I shared how rail leaders who are positive deviants in the industry navigate
GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure complete their acquisition of Wells Fargo’s rail assets. Also, New Enviri will be the spinoff of the Harsco Environmental and Rail businesses from Enviri; and TX Rail Products, Inc. completes a strategic capital raise.
BNSF delivers the first load to its new intermodal ramp in Oklahoma City. Also, Union Pacific (UP) introduces a new GPS-powered platform developed by supply chain technology partner Blume Global.
Metro Transit, St. Louis, will begin taking delivery of new high-floor LRVs (light rail vehicles) in 2027. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH regains ridership in November, reaching 76% of the pre-pandemic level; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) closes out 2025 with service delivery, accessibility and infrastructure progress.
Marmon Rail on Jan. 5 introduced Transco Rail Services, a unified repair identiy within the company’s family that brings together UTLX Field Services, Procor Field Services, and Transco Fixed Repair Shops under
Dallas, Tex.-based Trinity Industries, Inc. (Trinity) on Jan. 6 reported completing a “strategic restructuring” of its railcar investment partnerships with Napier Park, which is described as “an alternative credit platform.” As a
R.J. Corman Railroad Company on Jan. 5 announced that Matthew (Matt) Igoe will join the organization as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately.
Federal and state rail safety inspectors have several enforcement tools at their disposal. Civil penalties, which are reserved for “severe instances of noncompliance warranting the deterrent effect of monetary penalties,” are assessed
Nearly 1.9 billion trips were taken on New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway, bus, and paratransit services in 2025—up roughly 7% from 2024—and the subway, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad
The Northlander returns to Ontario. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) launches systemwide upgrades in 2026; Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) New River Valley project is on track for a 2027 launch; and EMBARK officials kick off OKC Streetcar’s free fare pilot program.
“Weather disruptions, softening industrial demand, and regulatory pressure converge to create volatile year-end operations,” according to ITS Logistics’ December 2025 Supply Chain Report. The December report “reflects a freight market balancing peak-season headwinds
Northstar service between Minneapolis and Big Lake, Minn., was shuttered Jan. 4, with buses replacing trains along the route, according to local media reports. The Minnesota Star Tribune and other media outlets
Jeff Thurman is sworn in as Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Advisory Board. Also, Mike Flynn is appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT).
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern (RBMN) announced Dec. 31 that it has shipped more than one million tons of Anthracite coal for the third straight year, “an impressive feat considering the downturn in export volume in 2025,” according to the privately owned Pennsylvania-based railroad.
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Dec. 27, 2025 saw a slight uptick, the Association of American Railroads reported Dec. 31. Volume totaled 392,295 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.7% compared
All four Class I railroads—BNSF, CN, CPKC, CSX—that will remain independent, at least in the short term, if the Surface Transportation Board approves the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, have given the application
Ridership records are set for New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) commuter railroads and California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Regional Transit District (SMART). Also, the fiscal year 2025 audit for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) receives a “favorable opinion from independent auditors”; and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) advance transit-oriented development (TOD) projects.
The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) announced Dec. 30 that members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have ratified a national collective bargaining agreement covering more than 12,000 freight
Norfolk Southern (NS) provides a progress report on networkwide investment in 2025. Also, CSX teams with Genesee Valley Transportation and New York & Atlantic on a new rail move in New York State; and BNSF and J.B. Hunt Transport Services honor “fallen heroes” in California.
